Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 of the Most Common Perennial Garden Mistakes to Avoid

      Are your plants not looking as lush and colorful as you hoped? Make sure you haven't made any of these missteps. Read More Next
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More Next
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays

    International Women’s Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 109-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement in 1908 has become a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See All Beauty & Style

    Here's Exactly How to Find Your Perfect Nude Nail Color

    Truth be told, there's no such thing as a universal nude.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See All Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See All Pets

    50 Perfect Calico Cat Names for Your Beautiful Kitty

    Use your pet's unique coat as inspiration on what to call them.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Home Improvement Ideas
  3. Patio Design Ideas and Makeovers
  4. 24 Patio Perk-Ups

24 Patio Perk-Ups

February 19, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Take your patio from tired to terrific this spring with these inspired ideas.
Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Punch Up Color

Add color and pattern to your patio with fabrics. "There's nothing like new pillows and cushions to change the whole mood of a place," says garden designer Jon Carloftis. "Outdoor fabrics no longer have to be plasticky and uncomfortable to withstand the weather." Toss in some patterned pillows with solids for a more dynamic look and include ottomans and floor pillows for extra seating.

1 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Design Underfoot

Use a colorful and patterned outdoor rug to pull your patio furnishings together. The rug will liven up pavers, brick, or wood flooring, bring your color scheme down to the ground, and create a visual center for your outdoor room.

2 of 26

3 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

10-Minute Outdoor Decor

Instantly add flair to your favorite outdoor setting with these fast and easy decorating ideas.

3 of 26

Advertisement

4 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Perk Up Old Furniture

Give your tired patio furniture a facelift with spray paint. With so many colors and finishes now available for just about every type of surface, your makeovers are limited only by your imagination. Even your outdoor pillows can get a paint makeover with taped-off stripes or stencils. "Each year there are more and better choices and quality products available," designer Carloftis says. "There's a whole new world out there!"

4 of 26

5 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Raise the Roof

Create a shady oasis in the backyard with a canopy over your patio. Available at many price points, the structure can be as simple as a fold-away unit or as complex as a permanent feature with integrated planters at each corner. This lovely pavilion is the ideal spot for a conversation grouping or an outdoor dining area.

  • Creative Shade Solutions

5 of 26

6 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Open Up

Include a large market umbrella in your patio decor. Besides providing much-needed shade to an unprotected patio, it adds a nice vertical element to the usual horizontal lines of an outdoor room as well as bringing in color overhead.

6 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Make It Flea Market Fabulous

Add character to your patio furnishings with flea market finds. Old metal bed frames make excellent lounge furniture, while vintage wicker enhances the romance of your space. Repurposed architectural salvage and collected pieces create a unique outdoor room filled with personality.

  • Add Vintage Style Outdoors

7 of 26

8 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Keep It Private

Turn your patio into a secluded spot in the garden with privacy panels. Introduce the softness of fabric with drapery panels as seen here, if you have the structure to support it. Or build upright lattice panels that screen but don't block your view.

8 of 26

9 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Patio Design Tips

Enjoy your patio even more with these simple space and style-boosting tricks.

9 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Make an Entrance

Whether your patio is attached to your house or standing alone in the yard, give it an entrance that proclaims it as a destination and creates a focal point. A charming arbor, such as this one, makes a style statement but your entrance could be as plain as a metal arch or gate or as simple as a couple of lengths of picket fencing. The secret is to blend it into your landscape with flowering and climbing plants.

10 of 26

11 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Add Garden Glamour

Bring a bit of bling to your outdoor room with a crystal chandelier or two over your dining table. If you don't have the means to hot-wire electrical fixtures, drape them instead with battery-operated twinkle lights. Another option: chandeliers that use a battery-operated taper candle in each arm of the fixture.

11 of 26

12 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Light the Night

Enhance your patio with the subtle shimmer of candlelight. Place pillar candles on tables, in containers, and in luminaria around your outdoor room. For a romantic glow overhead, group various sizes of pillar candles on a metal disk suspended by chains. Entwine the candles with draping plants such as lysimachia, moss, or ivy.

12 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Open an Outdoor Cafe

Create a colorful corner protected from breezes for a place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or glass of orange juice. Your day will seem brighter when you begin it with a contemplative moment in the garden. Pretty and cheerful linens and chair cushions make the spot even more inviting.

13 of 26

14 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Make the Most of Furniture

Furnish your patio with multitasking furniture. Your patio functions as a place to relax, to work on gardening projects, and to entertain, so keep all those activities in mind when purchasing furnishings. This potting bench, for example, works hard at its day job but also acts as an ideal sideboard for a social gathering.

14 of 26

15 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Get Ready to Grill

Invest in a good grill and make it the foundation of an outdoor kitchen. Stock cabinetry and countertops can create an inexpensive setup with a sink attached to hoses for water supply and drainage. "A new grill can change your life and keep the party and cooking mess outside for most of the summer," Carloftis says. "Not only is food healthier when cooked on the grill, but cooking out is easy, nice to be outdoors for a change, and provides another good family tradition to start."

15 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

A Drop in the Bucket

"Add a water feature to the mix," Carloftis says. "It doesn't have to be the huge ordeal, in-ground, tiled, cost-a-fortune thing. Use a water-tight pot, fill it with water, and toss in some floating plants to jazz up your terrace. In my own yard I found an old copper pot and added a spitting frog to make some noise," the designer says. Floating glass globes like these will also add movement and color.

16 of 26

17 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Create a Color Scheme

A simple color scheme for both plantings and accessories makes your patio decor serene and beautifully balanced. In this outdoor room, masses of lavender petunias punctuate the patio in pots, with the color echoed in the climber on the lattice fence. Lavender tints the grass plumes and dark foliage of the potted sweet potato vine beside the chaise. Pillows in the same hue accent the seating. The white furniture, weathered gray pavers and fencing, and green foliage provide neutral foil for the rich color.

17 of 26

18 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Think Big with Plants

"Most people tend to think of containers as temporary or seasonal things that go away in the winter months," says Carloftis. "This year, why not start out with a new set of frost-proof pots, large enough to plant permanent trees or shrubs. Then plant your regular annuals at the bases of the permanent plantings. It sure makes it easier to leave everything outside all winter long." Put your large containers on heavy-duty casters so you can move them around the patio as needed.

18 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Set the Scene

"Coordinate your container plantings with outdoor fabrics and furnishings," garden author Pamela Crawford says. "Pillows, cushions, rugs, and containers add instant color to a patio grouping. Coordinating your container combos completes the look."

19 of 26

20 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Head for the Tropics

Add a bit of the exotic to your patio with tropical plants in containers. Select varieties of different heights and leaf size and mass them together for a lush rain-forest look. Inject the flavor of southern climes with your container selection too. "Use Mexican pottery for a quick splash of color," says Crawford. "Even if you aren't experienced in putting together mixed plantings, Mexican pottery is so decorative that the plantings can include just one type of plant in each pot and still be riotously colorful."

20 of 26

21 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Climb the Walls

"Create a flowering wall on your patio," Crawford says. Use flat-backed planters or pots and mass several together for a living wall. "Although they look good the day they're planted, they look spectacular a few weeks later," she says. Remember to keep the planters well watered every day.

21 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Try an Herbal Remedy

"Grow herbs and tomatoes in pots on your patio this year," Carloftis says. "If you have children, involve them, as there is no better learning tool or entertaining toy out there." Gather a grouping of herbs on your outdoor dining table as a functional centerpiece. "You will not believe how much you can get from a small space and have a conversation piece when friends come over," he says.

22 of 26

23 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Create a Reading Room

Make a cozy reading nook in a corner of your patio. Set up a comfy chair with pillows and an ottoman, and tuck a small side table next to the chair. Add an outdoor-safe table or floor lamp with an all-weather shade to keep reading well past twilight.

23 of 26

24 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Amp Up Your Flowers

"Change your floral combinations this year," Carloftis says. "Think texture as much as you think flowers. Even when you hit a perfect combination, it's still good to mix it up. There are no real rules for a successful textural combination. Just go to the nursery and pull together plants you like in the wagon they provide and see what looks good grouped." Look for plants with different leaf sizes, shades, and types.

24 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Plug It In

Punctuate your patio with annuals and perennials without containers. Remove a square of pavers or bricks and place a flowering plant or small shrub in the hole. If you have a large patio, you can create low living walls by planting rows of small shrubs such as boxwood or yew to create outdoor rooms within your patio.

25 of 26

26 of 26

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Don't Forget the Birds

"Birding is the number-one hobby in the U.S. again, and no wonder," Carloftis says. "Gardening and birding go hand in hand. Put birdhouses and birdfeeders on and around your patio to create a natural sound system of bird song." Include hummingbird favorites in your container plantings.

26 of 26

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 26 Punch Up Color
2 of 26 Design Underfoot
3 of 26 10-Minute Outdoor Decor
4 of 26 Perk Up Old Furniture
5 of 26 Raise the Roof
6 of 26 Open Up
7 of 26 Make It Flea Market Fabulous
8 of 26 Keep It Private
9 of 26 Patio Design Tips
10 of 26 Make an Entrance
11 of 26 Add Garden Glamour
12 of 26 Light the Night
13 of 26 Open an Outdoor Cafe
14 of 26 Make the Most of Furniture
15 of 26 Get Ready to Grill
16 of 26 A Drop in the Bucket
17 of 26 Create a Color Scheme
18 of 26 Think Big with Plants
19 of 26 Set the Scene
20 of 26 Head for the Tropics
21 of 26 Climb the Walls
22 of 26 Try an Herbal Remedy
23 of 26 Create a Reading Room
24 of 26 Amp Up Your Flowers
25 of 26 Plug It In
26 of 26 Don't Forget the Birds

Share options

Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Better Homes & Gardens

  • Door Mats
  • Exterior Stains
  • Wood Sealers
  • Privacy Screens
  • Pressure Washers
  • Outdoor Furniture
  • Storage Benches
  • Patio Umbrellas
  • Perennials
  • Climbing Plants
  • Shop More Next

Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo